The present disclosure generally relates to pharmacy order processing systems, and more particularly to pharmaceutical container processing systems for removing pharmaceuticals from containers and related methods.
Pharmaceutical order processing systems typically involve labor intensive processes to remove pharmaceuticals from manufacturer packaging and transfer the pharmaceuticals to a bulk storage container. Once in the bulk storage container, the pharmaceuticals can be used to fill pharmacy orders.
In one aspect, a pharmaceutical extractor for removing pharmaceuticals from a plurality of containers comprises a plurality of holders and a plurality of container operation locations. Each holder includes a gripper configured to hold at least one container of the plurality of containers. The plurality of container operation locations are arranged in a series of container operation locations along which the pharmaceutical extractor is configured to perform a series of container operations. A cutter is located along the series of container operation locations. The cutter is configured to cut containers held by the grippers to create pharmaceutical outlets in the containers. A pharmaceutical collection inlet is located along the series of container operation locations. The pharmaceutical collection inlet is configured to receive pharmaceuticals from the pharmaceutical outlets in the containers. The pharmaceutical extractor is configured to move the plurality of holders, one holder after another holder, along the series of container operation locations to extract the pharmaceuticals from the containers.
In another aspect, a pharmaceutical container processing system for removing pharmaceuticals from a plurality of containers comprises a hopper configured to hold the plurality of containers and to dispense the plurality of containers. A singulator assembly is configured to singulate the plurality of containers as the containers are dispensed from the hopper. A pharmaceutical extractor is configured to remove the pharmaceuticals from the plurality of containers. The pharmaceutical extractor includes a holder configured to hold at least one container of the plurality of containers and a cutter configured to cut said at least one container held by the holder to create a pharmaceutical outlet in said container. The holder is configured to move between a first location where the holder receives said container, a second location where the cutter cuts the pharmaceutical outlet in said container and third location where the pharmaceuticals in said container move through the pharmaceutical outlet and out of said container. A pharmaceutical collector is configured to receive the pharmaceuticals from the containers disposed at the third location.
In another aspect, a method of removing pharmaceuticals from a plurality of containers comprises receiving a first container of the plurality of containers in a first holder of a pharmaceutical extractor at a first location, moving said first container and first holder to a second location, forming a pharmaceutical outlet in said first container while said first container is held by the first holder at the second location, moving said first container and first holder to a third location and moving pharmaceuticals out of said first container through the pharmaceutical outlet while said first container is held by the first holder at the third location.
Other objects and features of the present disclosure will be in part apparent and in part pointed out herein.
Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout the drawings.
Referring to the drawings,
The pharmaceutical container processing system 10 is configured to “bulk-up” pharmaceuticals P for filling orders in the pharmaceutical order processing system. Generally speaking, “bulking-up” includes transferring the pharmaceuticals P contained by a plurality of containers (which may be the same or different sizes) into a single bulk container to be used with subsequent components of the pharmaceutical order processing system. Specifically, the pharmaceutical container processing system 10 transfers the pharmaceuticals P contained within relatively small volume containers Cs into relatively large volume bulk containers CB. The bulk container CB can be ten or more times larger than the small volume container, e.g., about a liter in size. In other words, the pharmaceutical container processing system 10 removes the pharmaceuticals P from the small containers Cs in order to move the pharmaceuticals into the bulk container CB.
The pharmaceutical container processing system 10 includes a hopper, generally indicated by reference numeral 12, a singulator assembly, generally indicated by reference numeral 14, an identification system, generally indicated by reference numeral 16, a container transporter, generally indicated by reference numeral 18, and a pharmaceutical extractor, generally indicated by reference numeral 20. The pharmaceutical container processing system 10 includes a frame 22 supporting the various components of the system. An enclosure or cover assembly 24 is attached to the frame 22 and covers at least the singulator assembly 14, the identification system 16, the container transporter 18 and the pharmaceutical extractor 18 to protect operators from being exposed to the pharmaceuticals P as the pharmaceuticals are transferred from the small containers Cs to the bulk container CB. In various drawings herein, the cover assembly 24 is removed to more clearly show other components. Desirably, the cover assembly 24 is transparent to permit the operator to view the operation of the pharmaceutical container processing system 10. Other configurations of the pharmaceutical container processing system 10 are within the scope of the present disclosure. Moreover, the pharmaceutical container processing system 10 may not include all of the above listed components or additional components. For example, in the illustrated embodiment, the pharmaceutical container processing system 10 also includes a pharmaceutical collector, generally indicated by reference numeral 26, for loading the pharmaceuticals P into the bulk container CB, as will be explained in more detail below.
Referring to
The hopper 12 is configured to move the containers Cs placed thereon to the third conveyor 28C. The third conveyor 28C then moves the containers Cs to the other components of the pharmaceutical container processing system 10, as described below. The hopper 12 includes a first angled ramp 30 overlying the first conveyor 28A. The first ramp 30 is angled in the sense that the first ramp extends at a non-orthogonal and non-parallel angle relative to the first direction D1. As the first conveyor 28A moves in the first direction D1, the containers Cs are moved into contact with the first ramp 30 and move along the first ramp, as the first conveyor continues to move, onto the second conveyor 28B. The hopper 12 also includes a second angled ramp 32 overlying the second conveyor 28B. The second ramp 32 is angled in the sense that the second ramp extends at a non-orthogonal and non-parallel angle relative to the second direction Dz. As the second conveyor 28B moves in the second direction Da, the containers Cs are moved into contact with the second ramp 32 and move along the second ramp, as the second conveyor continues to move, onto the third conveyor 28C. In this manner, the hopper 12 generally moves the containers Cs in a direction generally perpendicular to the third direction D3 and onto the third conveyor 28C. Preferably, the conveyors 28A-C and ramps 30, 32 are configured such that the containers Cs move onto the third conveyor at generally one end thereof.
Referring to
The singulator assembly 14 includes at least one crowder or stop 40A, 40B to singulate the containers Cs. Each stop 40A, 40B is configured to contact or engage one container Cs as the containers are moved by the third conveyor 28C to inhibit the containers from moving with the third conveyor. Each stop 40A, 40B extends into the channel 36 to contact a lead container Cs to inhibit the lead container, and any containers behind it, from moving with the third conveyor belt 28C. Each stop 40A, 40B is selectively retractable to singulate the lead container Cs from the other containers by permitting the lead container to move with the third conveyor 28C. Each stop 40B is operatively coupled to an actuator 42 (e.g., linear actuator) which can move the stop between an extended position and a retracted position. In the extended position, each stop 40A, extends into (e.g., blocks) the channel 36 and inhibits containers Cs from moving through the channel. In the illustrated embodiment, the stops 40A, 40B extend through openings in the rails 34A, 34B. In the retracted position, each stop 40A, 40B does not obstruct the channel 36 and the containers Cs are free to move through the channel. Preferably, there are at least two stops, spaced longitudinally along the channel 36 such that the first stop 40A engages the lead container Cs and the second stop 40B engages the container immediately behind the lead container so that when the first stop is retracted and permits the lead container to move with the third conveyor 28C, the second stop inhibits the other containers from moving with the third conveyor. In this configuration, once the lead container Cs moves on, the first stop 40A returns to the extended position and the second stop 40B retracts to permit the line of containers to move up to the first stop. Once the new lead container Cs engages the first stop 40A and inhibits the containers from moving any further, the second stop 40B is moved back into the extended position and the cycle repeats. In the illustrated embodiment, the singulator assembly 14 includes four stops with two stops 40A, 40B shown in the extended position and two stops shown in the retracted position and hidden from view. The additional stops enable the singulator assembly 14 to use any two stops to singulate containers of other sizes. In one embodiment, the singulator assembly 14 also includes a dislodging assembly 41 operatively coupled to at least one of the ramps 38A, 38B to move the ramps (e.g., the ramps are movable or pivotable) to break-up the containers Cs in the event they become lodged while moving into the channel 36 and transitioning into a single file line. In the illustrated embodiment, the dislodging assembly 41 includes an actuator 42 operatively coupled to a bumper 43. The actuator 42 is configured to selectively move the bumper in and out to push and move (e.g., rotate) the ramp 38B to dislodge the containers Cs. A spring 45 biases the ramp 38B in the position shown in
The singulator assembly 14 is selectively adjustable to enable the singulator assembly to singulate different sizes of containers. The singulator assembly 14 includes first and second movable platforms 44A and 44B, respectively. The first rail 34A, first stop 40A and corresponding actuator 42 are mounted on the first movable platform 44A and the second rail 34B, second stop 40A and corresponding actuator are mounted on the second movable platform 44B. The first and second movable platforms 44A, 44B (broadly, the first and second rails 34A, 34B) move toward or away from one another (e.g., in a direction generally perpendicular the third direction D3) to change the distance between the rails 34A, 34B, and thereby the width of the channel 36, to configure the singulator assembly 14 for different sizes of containers. Each movable platform 44A, 44B is movably mounted on rails or tracks 46. The singulator assembly 14 includes a drive or adjustment assembly 48 operatively coupled to the first and second movable platforms 44A, 44B (broadly, the first and second rails 34A, 34B) to move the platforms toward or away from one another. The adjustment assembly 48 includes a handle 50 coupled to and configured to rotate a threaded shaft 52. The first and second movable platforms 44A, 44B are threadably connected to the threaded shaft 52. As the handle 50 turns the threaded shaft 52, the threaded shaft rotates and moves the first and second movable platforms 44A, 44B along the tacks 46. The threaded shaft 52 includes oppositely oriented first and second threads along its length. The first threads engage the first movable platform 44A and the second threads engage the second platform 44B so that the platforms move either toward or away from one another as the threaded shaft 52 rotates (either clockwise or counter-clockwise). In an example embodiment, the singulator assembly 14 (specifically, the movable platforms 44A, 44B) can be automatically adjusted based on the size, e.g., diameter or maximum horizontal dimension, of the containers Cs. The size of the containers Cs can be entered into the control system 200 or sensed by pressure sensors (not shown) connected the control system and mounted on the first and second movable platforms 44A, 44B. The size of the containers Cs can be sensed using non-contact sensor, e.g., light, LED, or the like sensors. The control system 200 can activate a prime mover, such as an electric motor (not shown), operatively coupled to the threaded shaft 52 to move the first and second movable platforms 44A, 44B to adjust the width the channel 36.
Still referring to
In the illustrated embodiment, the identification system 16 includes six sensors 54. The sensors 54 are arranged (e.g., in a circular configuration) to surround a sensing location on the third conveyor belt 28C. As a container Cs leaves the singulator assembly 14, the container moves through the sensing location past the sensors 54. The machine readable marking on each container Cs may be in a horizontal or vertical orientation on the container and can be at generally any location on the surface of the container. Having six sensors 54 that each scan different sides of the container Cs ensures that at least one sensor will be able to see and read the machine readable marking on the container. Other arraignments and/or configurations of the sensors 54 are within the scope of the present disclosure. For example, one or more additional sensors 54 may be added at any position along the conveyor 28C (e.g., either upstream or downstream). The identification system 16, optionally, may also include an orientation adjuster 56 to adjust the orientation of the container Cs on the third conveyor 28C if the sensors 54 are unable to clearly see the machine readable marking. The orientation adjuster 56 includes a stop 58 and an actuator 60, similar to stops 40 and actuators 42. If the imagers 54 are unable to get a clear image of the machine readable marking, the orientation adjuster 56 activates and the actuator 60 pushes the stop 58 into the path of the container Cs. The container Cs hits the stop 60 and, due to the continued movement of the third conveyor 28C, jostles or rotates on the conveyor to change the orientation of the container until one of the sensors 54 gets a clear image of the machine readable marking. After a clear image is obtained, or a set period of time passes (e.g., the imagers are unable to read the machine readable marking), the stop 60 retracts to permit the container Cs to continue moving with the third conveyor 28C. Other configurations of the orientation adjuster 56 are within the scope of the present disclosure. For example, the orientation adjuster may rotate the container Cs while container is being scanned.
Still referring to
When moved to adjust the stop assembly 66 to containers of other sizes, the angled plates 72A, 72B move relative to one another and change the size of the V-shaped end of the channel 70. Accordingly, the exact pickup location where the container Cs is stopped by the angled plates 72A, 72B and is picked up by the container transporter 18 changes as the width of the channels 36, 70 are adjusted to for different sizes of containers. A position sensor 74 determines the position of the first and second movable platforms 44A, 44B. The exact pickup location where the container Cs is stopped by the angled plates 72A, 72B is a function of the location of the first and second movable platforms 44A, 44B. By determining the position of the first and second movable platforms 44A, 44B the pickup location can be determined. This information is used by the container transporter 18 to position the transporter in the correct position to pick up the container Cs from the pickup location. The position sensor 74 is in communication with the container transporter 18 via a processor, which may be part of the control system 200. The processor receives the information provided by the position sensor 74 and determines the pickup location, based on the received information, and relays the pickup location to the container transporter 18. In the illustrated embodiment, the position sensor 74 is a distance sensor configured to measure the distance between itself and a portion of the first movable platform 44A. Other configurations of the stop assembly 66 are within the scope of the present disclosure.
Referring to
Referring to
Each holder 100A-C is configured to move between a plurality of different stations or locations (e.g., container operation locations) of the pharmaceutical extractor 20. At each location, a different operation or operations (e.g., container operations) occurs in the process of removing the pharmaceuticals P from the container Cs. The plurality of locations are arranged in a series (e.g., a series of locations) along which the pharmaceutical extractor 20 is configured to perform a series of operations. Thus, the pharmaceutical extractor 20 is a progressive, multi-stage disassembly device that moves each holder 100A-C and container Cs held thereby through the different steps for removing the pharmaceuticals P from the container, as described in more detail below. In the illustrated embodiment, the pharmaceutical extractor 20 includes three locations (e.g., a first location, a second location and a third location) for each holder 100A-C to move to, although more or fewer locations are within the scope of the presented disclosure.
The holders 100A-C are configured to cycle through the three locations in series. As explained in more detail below, the pharmaceutical extractor 20 moves the holders 100A-C, one holder after another holder, along the series of locations to extract the pharmaceuticals P from the containers Cs. In this embodiment, the holders 100A-C cycle through the series of locations by rotating through the three locations. Moreover, as will become apparent, the pharmaceutical extractor 20 repeatedly cycles the holders 100A-C through the series of locations to perform the series of operations on additional containers Cs, to extract the pharmaceuticals P from the additional containers. Each holder 100A-C is mounted to a shaft 110 that defines an axis of rotation AR the shaft and holders rotate about. The shaft 110 is part of a holder drive 111 that rotates the holders 100A-C between the plurality of locations. The holder drive 111 includes a driver 113, such as an electric motor, operatively coupled to the shaft 110. The driver 113 is controlled by the control system 200 to selectively rotate the shaft 110, and therefore the holders 100A-C, between the locations in series. In this embodiment, the holder drives 111 moves the holders between the locations at generally the same time. Each location and holder 100A-C are evenly spaced apart (radially) about the axis of rotation AR (e.g., the holders are radially spaced apart by about 120 degrees). Accordingly, the shaft 110 rotates about 120 degree at a time in order to move the holders 100A-C to the different locations. As shown in
Referring to
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The pharmaceutical extractor 20 also includes a cutter sensor 130 at the second location to confirm the pharmaceutical outlet 114 is formed. Specifically, the cutter sensor 130 is used to confirm the bottom portion of the container Cs has been removed. The cutter sensor 130 is in communication with a processor, such as the processor 202 of the control system 200, which receives the information provided by the sensor to determine if the bottom portion of the container Cs has been removed. In one embodiment, the cutter sensor 130 is a distance sensor configured to measure the distance between itself and the bottom of the container Cs. When the measured distance changes due to the bottom portion being removed, the processor knows the bottom portion has been cut off the container and the pharmaceutical outlet 114 has been formed. If the processor determines the pharmaceutical outlet has not been formed (e.g., the bottom portion has not been removed) in the container Cs, the container is moved back to the first location, as described herein, where the processor instructs the container transporter 18 to grab and move the container to the reject bin 62. Once the pharmaceutical outlet 114 has been created in the container Cs, the container and holder 100A-C are moved to the third location.
Referring to
In the illustrated embodiment, the pharmaceutical extractor 20 includes a pharmaceutical chute 132 which defines the pharmaceutical collection inlet 136. When the pharmaceuticals P fall out of the container Cs, the pharmaceuticals fall into the pharmaceutical chute 132 (e.g., pharmaceutical collection inlet 136). The pharmaceutical chute 132 then directs the pharmaceuticals P to the pharmaceutical collector 26. Accordingly, the pharmaceutical collector 26 receives the pharmaceuticals P from the container Cs disposed at the third location. The operator can then use to the pharmaceutical collector 26 to move the pharmaceuticals P into the bulk container CB. The operator can shift through the pharmaceuticals P received by the pharmaceutical collector 26 to remove damaged or broken pharmaceuticals and other contaminants while additional pharmaceuticals are removed from the containers Cs. In some instances, the pharmaceuticals P may fall from the container Cs onto the discharge chute 108, which then directs the pharmaceuticals to the pharmaceutical collection inlet 136 (e.g., onto the pharmaceutical chute 132). The pharmaceutical chute 132 may, broadly, be considered part of the pharmaceutical collector 26. The operator working at the pharmaceutical collector 26 may also be able to start/stop and/or slow down the system 10, via the control system 200, in order to shift through the pharmaceuticals at the operator's own pace. Further details on the pharmaceutical collector 26 are described in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/226,944, incorporated by reference above.
To further facilitate the movement (e.g., extraction) of the pharmaceuticals P through the pharmaceutical outlet 114, each holder 100A-C is configured to shake the gripper 102 and container Cs when the container is in the second orientation. In particular, the actuator assembly 106 may shake the container Cs by vigorously moving the container up and down and/or side to side. The containers Cs typically contain a packing material, such as a piece of cotton, with the pharmaceuticals P and shaking the container helps ensure that all the pharmaceuticals flow out of the container and are not blocked by the packing material. Other suitable methods for shaking the container Cs are within the scope of the present disclosure. After the pharmaceuticals P flow out of the container Cs, the gripper 102 may rotate the container back to the first orientation. Once the pharmaceuticals P move out of the container Cs, the container and holder 100A-C are moved back to the first location.
Referring back to
In one embodiment, the holders 100A-C are moved to another station every 6-8 seconds. This allows enough time for the actions at each location to be completed. Typically, cutting the pharmaceutical outlet 114 takes the longest amount of time and can vary depending on the wall thickness of the container Cs and the size of the container. Thus, the pharmaceutical extractor 20 can receive a new container Cs every 6-8 seconds with the processing of the container being completed in 18-24 seconds. Moreover, the singulator assembly 14 is timed, via the control system 200, to release a new container Cs every 6-8 seconds to match the movement of the holders 100A-C between the different locations. This timing ensures that the container transported 18 will always have a container Cs at the pickup location to deliver to the holders 100A-C, each time the holders are at the first location.
The operations or processes for removing the pharmaceuticals P from the container Cs at each location occur generally at the same time (e.g., the processes occur generally simultaneously). For example, the first holder 100A receives a container Cs at generally the same time as the cutter 112 cuts the pharmaceutical outlet 114 in a container held by the second holder 100B and at generally the same time as a third container held by the third holder 100C is moved to the second orientation to enable the pharmaceuticals P to move through the pharmaceutical outlet of the third container when the first, second and third holders are at the first, second and third locations, respectively. Simultaneously performing processes for removing the pharmaceuticals P from three containers Cs significantly increases the speed at which the pharmaceutical container processing system 10 can remove pharmaceuticals from the containers (e.g., process containers). In one test, a pharmaceutical container processing system built according to the teachings of the present disclosure was able to process containers Cs twice as fast over conventional systems at a rate of about 450-550 containers/hour, depending on the type of container.
It will be appreciated that container operations other than described herein could be performed at container operation locations, and various combinations of container operations could be performed at container operation locations without departing from the scope of the present application. For example, in one contemplated embodiment, full containers are received and cut at the same container operation location. In another embodiment, the containers are cut and emptied at the same container operation location. In yet another contemplated embodiment, the locations where the empty containers are dropped and the new containers are received can be different locations. Moreover, it will be appreciated that operations can be carried out in other fashions without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. For example, the containers could be received cap-end-down, could be cut while the cap end is up, could have the cap end cut off, or could be cut in other fashions.
Referring to
In one exemplary method of operation of the pharmaceutical container processing system 10, a plurality of containers Cs are received in the hopper 12. The containers Cs can be placed in the hopper 12 by the operator. The hopper 12 then dispenses the containers Cs from the hopper and into the singulator assembly 14. Specifically, the conveyors 28A-C move to transport the containers to the singulator assembly. The singulator assembly 14 then singulates the containers Cs. The singulated container Cs is then moved through the identification system 16, which identifies the container to confirm the container contains the correct pharmaceuticals P. The container Cs is then moved to the stop assembly 66 where the container is stopped in the pickup location. The container Cs is held in the pickup location until the container transporter 18 grabs the container and deliver's it to the pharmaceutical extractor 20.
One of the holders 100A-C (e.g., a first holder) of the pharmaceutical extractor 20 is at the first location of the pharmaceutical extractor and receives the container Cs (e.g., a first container). Specifically, the container transporter 18 moves the first container Cs to the gripper 102 of the first holder 100A and the gripper closes to grab and hold the first container therein. The container transporter 18 then releases the first container Cs and moves back to the pickup location to grab another container Cs therefrom. Once the first container Cs is secured in the gripper 102 of the first holder 100A, the gripper then inverts the first container. The first holder 100A is then moved to the second location. Specially, the shaft 110 is rotated about the axis of rotation AR approximately 120 degrees to move the first holder 100A from the first location to the second location. As the first holder 100A holds the first container Cs in the inverted (e.g., first) orientation at the second location, a pharmaceutical outlet 114 is formed in the first container. The blade 116 of the cutter 112 is moved through the first container Cs to cut off the bottom portion of the container and form the pharmaceutical outlet 114. A stream of gas then pushes the bottom portion away from the remainder of the container Cs. The bottom portion is guided to the waste bin 128 by the shroud 124 and waste chute 126. The first holder 100A raises the first container Cs into the path of the blade 116 and then lowers the first container after the pharmaceutical outlet 114 is formed. At generally the same time as the pharmaceutical outlet 114 is formed in the first container Cs (e.g., at the same time the first holder 100A is in the second location), a second container is received in the third holder 100C. The third holder 100C was moved to first location from the third location at the same time the first holder 100A was moved to the second location. The third holder 100C receives the second container Cs in the same manner as the first holder 100A, described above.
Once the pharmaceutical outlet 114 is formed in the first container Cs and the third holder 100C receives the second container, the first holder 100A is moved to the third location. At generally the same time, the third holder 100C is moved to the second location and the second holder 100B is moved to the first location. The pharmaceutical outlet 114 in the second container Cs is formed in the same manner as the pharmaceutical outlet formed in the first container, described above. Likewise, the second holder 100B receives a third container Cs is the same manner as the first holder 100A, described above. In the third location, the first container Cs is moved to a non-inverted (e.g., second) orientation so that the pharmaceuticals P in the first container move through the pharmaceutical outlet 114 and out of the first container. This occurs at generally the same time as the pharmaceutical outlet 114 is formed in the second container Cs and the second holder 100B receives the third container (e.g., at the same time the second holder 100B is in the first location and the third holder 100C is in the second location). In particular, the gripper 102 of the first holder 100A rotates or generally flips the first container Cs so that the pharmaceuticals P in the first container fall out of the first container and into the pharmaceutical collection inlet 136. The pharmaceutical chute 132 then guides the pharmaceuticals P to the pharmaceutical collector 26. The pharmaceutical collector 26 receives the pharmaceuticals P and then the operator can move the pharmaceuticals into the bulk container CB. The first holder 100A may shake the first container Cs to ensure that there are no pharmaceuticals P remaining in the first container. Once the first container 100A is empty, the first container may be moved back into the inverted orientation.
The first holder 100A is then moved back to the first location. At generally the same time, the third holder 100C is moved to the third location and the second holder 100B is moved to the second location. The pharmaceutical outlet 114 in the third container Cs, which is now in the second location, is formed, as described above. Likewise, the pharmaceuticals P are removed from the second container Cs, which is now in the third location, as described above. Upon returning to the first location, the first holder 100A drops the now empty first container into the waste chute 134 which guides the first container into the waste bin 128. Specifically, the gripper 102 releases the first container Cs. The first holder 100A is now ready to receive another (e.g., fourth) container from the container transporter 18 and the cycle repeats.
The Title, Field, and Background are provided to help the reader quickly ascertain the nature of the technical disclosure. They are submitted with the understanding that they will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims. They are provided to introduce a selection of concepts in simplified form that are further described in the Detailed Description. The Title, Field, and Background are not intended to identify key features or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used as an aid in determining the claimed subject matter.
Although described in connection with an exemplary computing system environment, embodiments of the aspects of the disclosure are operational with numerous other general purpose or special purpose computing system environments or configurations. The computing system environment is not intended to suggest any limitation as to the scope of use or functionality of any aspect of the disclosure. Moreover, the computing system environment should not be interpreted as having any dependency or requirement relating to any one or combination of components illustrated in the exemplary operating environment. Examples of well-known computing systems, environments, and/or configurations that may be suitable for use with aspects of the disclosure include, but are not limited to, personal computers, server computers, hand-held or laptop devices, multiprocessor systems, microprocessor-based systems, set top boxes, programmable consumer electronics, mobile telephones, network PCs, minicomputers, mainframe computers, distributed computing environments that include any of the above systems or devices, and the like.
Embodiments of the aspects of the disclosure may be described in the general context of data and/or processor-executable instructions, such as program modules, stored one or more tangible, non-transitory storage media and executed by one or more processors or other devices. Generally, program modules include, but are not limited to, routines, programs, objects, components, and data structures that perform particular tasks or implement particular abstract data types. Aspects of the disclosure may also be practiced in distributed computing environments where tasks are performed by remote processing devices that are linked through a communications network. In a distributed computing environment, program modules may be located in both local and remote storage media including memory storage devices.
In operation, processors, computers and/or servers may execute the processor-executable instructions (e.g., software, firmware, and/or hardware) such as those illustrated herein to implement aspects of the disclosure.
Embodiments of the aspects of the disclosure may be implemented with processor-executable instructions. The processor-executable instructions may be organized into one or more processor-executable components or modules on a tangible processor readable storage medium. Aspects of the disclosure may be implemented with any number and organization of such components or modules. For example, aspects of the disclosure are not limited to the specific processor-executable instructions or the specific components or modules illustrated in the figures and described herein. Other embodiments of the aspects of the disclosure may include different processor-executable instructions or components having more or less functionality than illustrated and described herein.
The order of execution or performance of the operations in embodiments of the aspects of the disclosure illustrated and described herein is not essential, unless otherwise specified. That is, the operations may be performed in any order, unless otherwise specified, and embodiments of the aspects of the disclosure may include additional or fewer operations than those disclosed herein. For example, it is contemplated that executing or performing a particular operation before, contemporaneously with, or after another operation is within the scope of aspects of the disclosure.
When introducing elements of aspects of the disclosure or the embodiments thereof, the articles “a,” “an,” “the,” and “said” are intended to mean that there are one or more of the elements. The terms “comprising,” “including,” and “having” are intended to be inclusive and mean that there may be additional elements other than the listed elements.
In view of the above, it will be seen that several advantages of the aspects of the disclosure are achieved and other advantageous results attained.
Not all of the depicted components illustrated or described may be required. In addition, some implementations and embodiments may include additional components. Variations in the arrangement and type of the components may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the claims as set forth herein. Additional, different or fewer components may be provided and components may be combined. Alternatively or in addition, a component may be implemented by several components.
The above description illustrates the aspects of the disclosure by way of example and not by way of limitation. This description enables one skilled in the art to make and use the aspects of the disclosure, and describes several embodiments, adaptations, variations, alternatives and uses of the aspects of the disclosure, including what is presently believed to be the best mode of carrying out the aspects of the disclosure. Additionally, it is to be understood that the aspects of the disclosure is not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangement of components set forth in the description or illustrated in the drawings. The aspects of the disclosure are capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or carried out in various ways. Also, it will be understood that the phraseology and terminology used herein is for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting.
Having described aspects of the disclosure in detail, it will be apparent that modifications and variations are possible without departing from the scope of aspects of the disclosure as defined in the appended claims. It is contemplated that various changes could be made in the above constructions, products, and methods without departing from the scope of aspects of the disclosure. In the preceding specification, various embodiments have been described with reference to the accompanying drawings. It will, however, be evident that various modifications and changes may be made thereto, and additional embodiments may be implemented, without departing from the broader scope of the aspects of the disclosure as set forth in the claims that follow. The specification and drawings are accordingly to be regarded in an illustrative rather than restrictive sense.
This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 16/564,033, which was filed Sep. 9, 2019. The entire disclosure of said application is incorporated herein by reference.
Number | Date | Country | |
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Parent | 16564033 | Sep 2019 | US |
Child | 18232944 | US |